Pravachol (Pravastatin)

General information

Pravachol is a cholesterol-lowering medication. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore, less cholesterol is made and levels of cholesterol in the blood decrease. Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce the risks associated with heart disease, such as heart attack. It is used in addition to diet and exercise to lower high cholesterol levels.

Directions

Take Pravachol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended dose of pravastatin ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg daily, taken with or without food in a single dose at bedtime. The recommended starting dose for most people with high cholesterol is 40 mg once a day. The maximum recommended daily dose of is 80 mg. If you take cyclosporine or have significant kidney or liver disease, your doctor may choose to start you on a lower dose, such as Pravachol 10 mg daily. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol, take Pravachol at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications.

Precautionsa

Before taking Pravachol you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, liver failure, kidney disease, kidney failure, heart attack or stroke, diabetes, underactive thyroid, muscle disorder, any allergies. Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug.

Contraindications

You should not take Pravachol if you are allergic to pravastatin or to any of the ingredients of this medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have active liver disease or unexplained increases in liver function tests.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have muscle pain or tenderness, loss of balance, skin rash, heartburn, weakness, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, itching, swelling of the face, throat, hives, difficulty breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: antifungal medications (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole), steroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone), cholesterol medications (atorvastatin, simvastatin, niacin), antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin), bile acid sequestrants (colestipol, colesevelam, cholestyramine). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

The overdose symptoms are unknown. If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.